Press

After almost four years of political battle, leaders of Together Baton Rouge secured a momentous victory: the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board voted down Exxon Mobil’s request to receive a tax exemption through the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, resulting in $2.9 Million for public schools....

Lake County United Wins an Additional 100 Inpatient Beds for Behavioral Hospital in Waukegan -Lake County United

Lake County United successfully pressed for approval to add 100 more inpatient beds at the new behavioral hospital in Waukegan, IL. Lake Behavioral Hospital will now have 146 beds and is committed to serving adults and adolescents regardless of their ability to pay.

ReBUILD Metro, a third-party developer that works with Metro IAF affiliate, BUILD, to revitalize neighborhoods, secured $1.5 million from the Weinberg Foundation to fill the gap of a 60 unit LIHTC building in Johnston Square in Baltimore. Fourteen homes have already been rehabbed, and this building is the turn-key development needed to truly launch BUILD's rebuilding work in Johnston Square, which will be the 4th neighborhood BUILD is rebuilding in East Baltimore.

New IAF Organization Launched In Anne Arundel County, MD: 1,100+ Leaders Unite, Pledge to Make the County a Better Place -ACT

After two years of listening to communities, congregations and individuals, including 2,800 one-on-one conversations, over 1,100 leaders from Anne Arundel County packed First Christian Community Church for an inaugural action to commit to working together to make Anne Arundel a better place for everyone to live.

Key issues identified as priorities for the newest IAF organization, Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT) were: Affordable Housing, Safe and Effective Schools, Efficient and Useful Public Transportation, Freedom from Addiction and Mental Health Challenges, Just and Fair Immigration Policies and Gun Violence Reduction and Safety in the Community. ACT asked candidates for county council, state’s attorney and county executive in attendance if they would pledge to work with and meet regularly with ACT, and all but one agreed.

Jersey City Together Wins Final Authorization for $170 million in Bonding for 95-Acre Bayfront Site -Jersey City Together

A year and a half ago, Jersey City Together launched a campaign to change the way a 95-acre site would be developed so that it would include real affordable housing. On October 10th, the Jersey City Council approved the final ordinance to authorize $170 million worth of municipal bonds for the site's purchase and for investing in its infrastructure. The city now hopes 35+ percent of the site's units can be affordable (potentially 2,800 units). The City and State of New Jersey required Honeywell to clean up the site after organizing pressure and a lawsuit by a previous IAF-affiliate in Jersey City called the Interfaith Community Organization.

AIM Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Historic African American Community Center after Decades-Long Fight for Justice -AIM

AIM celebrated the ribbon cutting for Good Hope Community Center, the last of four community centers in historically African American neighborhoods in Montgomery County, marking the end of rebuilding and renovation of the community centers in a fight for change that lasted more than a decade. For most of these neighborhoods' histories, they've been overlooked and neglected, unable to get even basic repairs in the community centers, while beautiful, new centers were being built in other parts of the county. AIM has held a series of actions at the centers since 2007, inviting council members to see for themselves the terrible disrepair that had been allowed to fester.

PATH's Non-Partisan GOTV Mobilizes More than 2,500 Voters, Wins Commitments on Immigration, Transportation and Education from County Executive and School Superintendent -PATH

Over 500 PATH leaders came out for an October non-partisan GOTV Assembly in Howard County, Maryland. PATH Co-Chairs won commitments from the next County Executive and the HCPSS School Superintendent to continue joint work on immigration inclusion, transportation improvement, and public education equity.

PATH GOTV was a major part of large voter turnout in Howard County, the highest of any jurisdiction in Maryland, with leaders organizing more than 2,500 voters in member institutions, for the June Primary and November General Election. The effort mobilized many to choose early voting, a factor in the upset victory of candidate Ball for County Executive, over the incumbent Kittleman, who was predicted to win a second term.

OTOC Voter Education and Get Out the Vote Initiative Rallies Nebraska Voters to Expand Medicaid -OTOC

With access to health care on the line for 90,000 Nebraskans, OTOC leaders worked hard to expand Medicaid for those with no health insurance. After efforts to secure enough votes to overcome a filibuster in the Nebraska Unicameral proved unsuccessful, OTOC partnered with allies in 2018 to secure a place on the November Midterm ballot for 'Initiative 427' as a way to secure Medicaid Expansion in Nebraska. On November 6, 2018, the effort succeeded.

Over the course of the year, OTOC leaders mobilized 50 individuals who secured 3,500 signatures in the effort to get the initiative on the ballot. OTOC organized 17 civic academies in Omaha congregations and public libraries to help build an educated constituency and, in efforts to educate the public, published seven Opeds, including four in the Omaha World Herald. In the final days leading to the vote, the World Herald selected OTOC to counter final arguments by a team including the former Governor, Attorney General and a member of Koch Brothers Nebraska.

Leaders testified at State hearings, leveraged commitments from winning Congressional candidates to protect Medicaid Expansion if Initiative 427 were to pass, and organized a fall accountability assembly in which all seven Unicameral candidates committed to implementing Medicaid expansion.

Initiative 427 won with a margin of 41,594 votes statewide. Counties where OTOC focused -- Douglas and Sarpy -- were critical to overcoming vote deficits elsewhere. In Douglas County, alone, 111,630 residents voted FOR Initiative 427, approximately one third of the statewide total, and far exceeding the margin of victory.

OTOC leaders are now turning their attention to implementation of Medicaid expansion, to ensure it reaches those who most need it.

October 21st: In Virginia, nearly 1,400 VOICE leaders turned out to a non-partisan action where Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring committed on issues of criminal justice reform, mental health resources in schools, affordable housing and immigration. VOICE won commitments from both Governor Northam and Attorney General Herring to lead with VOICE on reforming the Virginia cash bail system, and Herring released a legal memorandum outlining practical and constitutional concerns with the current system. The Governor also committed to convene a meeting in December with key Republicans and Democrats to strategize on how to decrease mass incarceration, and committed to ending the suspension of drivers licenses for people with unpaid court debt.

Northam and Herring both attended VOICE's non-partisan candidate forum in 2017 and returned this year for VOICE's 2018 accountability forum. The Governor showed recognition to VOICE's work on increasing the felony threshold level in the last year from $200-$500 dollars and winning a dedicated funding package for WMATA metro transportation saying, "That was because of you."

Both District Attorney candidates for Suffolk County, Rachael Rollins-Democrat and Mike Maloney-Independent reiterated their support for GBIO’s Criminal Justice Reform priorities: not charging mandatory minimums for drug sentences, not requesting bail, and improving data collection/transparency.

Attorney General Maura Healey committed to meet with GBIO and Metro IAF clergy in the next 6 weeks regarding a campaign with States Attorneys General and Metro IAF to sue the federal government for the separation of immigrant families. Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez committed, without hesitation, $50M dollars for Homeownership programs for low-moderate income households to close the racial homeownership gap, if elected.

October 22nd: In Connecticut, more than 750 CONECT members turned out for the 2018 General Election Non-Partisan Candidate Assembly, where candidates for Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer attended and answered questions concerning CONECT's issue proposals on gun violence, immigration, health care/mental health and criminal justice reform issues. On criminal justice reform, CONECT asked candidates to commit to supporting "Clean Slate" legislation that would automatically expunge criminal records for formerly incarcerated people who have no further convictions after a specified period of time depending on whether the offense was a misdemeanor or felony. All candidates present committed to establishing a public working relationship with CONECT if elected, and agreed to an initial follow-up meeting within 60 days of being elected.

October 27th: In a packed non-partisan assembly in North Carolina that was standing room only, 600+ Durham CAN leaders held accountable candidates for District and Superior Court Judges and the District Attorney-elect on issues such as ending cash bail, court fines and fees, and a commitment that people with mental illness will not be sent to jail, among other criminal justice reform issues. Durham CAN also won commitments from the District Attorney and Sheriff that they would not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and that the District Attorney and Judges would provide interpreters at Court, and waive crushing fines for driving without a license. All of the judicial candidates who attended the action committed to to support Durham CAN's criminal justice agenda.

In a move to shift the makeup of the state legislature, Texas IAF organizations reached into suburbs surrounding Texas’ largest cities to assemble by the thousands in political, nonpartisan assemblies to help leaders wrest commitments from candidates for state and federal office. Having witnessed candidate responses to locally-developed agendas, which span from local control to Texas school finance and federal immigration reform, leaders are now mobilizing their neighbors to Get Out The Vote.

In North Dallas, for example, two thousand DAI leaders -- many from Carrollton and Farmers Branch -- invited candidates for House Districts 114, 115, 105 and 107, and Congressional District 32, to...

The Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) stands with the Jewish community in this time of tragedy, death, and fear. We condemn the horrific shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh this weekend and urge a cessation of the heated political rhetoric that is giving rise to anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and violence around the country.

Just over three years ago, 9 members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, also died practicing their faith. It is tragic that many faith communities are beginning to feel that they can only gather safely if they provide for armed deterrence from deadly acts of hate from guns and firearms. Houses of worship should not be places where people fear to assemble.

In the last 10 days, we have also seen a black man and woman killed in the Kentucky Kroger and numerous political and religious figures targeted for harm, including the mailing of explosive packages to numerous public officials. We denounce all these heinous acts and call for a response of justice and civility.

The Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) is the nation’s oldest and largest non-partisan network of 75 Broad Based Community Organizations throughout the United States representing hundreds of thousands of families. We intentionally work in local areas to build a sense of greater community valuing diversity, pluralism, and acting together to build local democracy and public life. This week, we are supporting and organizing local gatherings and vigils of solidarity to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters.

We know that the current polarized climate doesn’t have to be nor should it be normalized. We have demonstrated that people from diverse backgrounds can work together around common agendas that cross racial, ethnic, religious, political, gender and class divides. We are compelled to challenge all of us to stand with Jewish communities throughout the nation in this hour of horror and tragedy.

In this era of hyper-partisanship, we call upon our elected officials, from our nation’s capital to our local leaders, to work across party lines in a way that represents our interests and to stop using language that polarizes and encourages those who would use hate as a tool.

Over the long term, our work of organizing and community building for a common good continues. This requires tolerance and acceptance of disagreements from those with a broad spectrum of political and religious beliefs and traditions, and the acknowledgment that we are all responsible for forming a common public life.

We should never forget the words from the Book of Psalms:

Light shines in the darkness for the upright;
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion…
For they will never be shaken
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance

“Law enforcement has some of the tools—but not all of them,” Acevedo said in a statement. “Our message to Mr. Debney and the other CEOs is, you have a leadership role to play too. We can’t do it without you.”

Manger and Acevedo’s letter received a statement of support from Do Not Stand Idly By, an organization made up of law enforcement leaders, medical and public health professionals and religious leaders to promote smart guns. In a SEC filing earlier this month, Smith & Wesson said it does not invest in research and development for smart gun technology because it does not believe such a product would interest consumers.

....For the first time in city history, the lowest-paid municipal workers are set to begin earning $15 an hour — a major victory for COPS/Metro Alliance, which has been advocating for a living wage for several years.

At a gathering of 100 clergy and leaders from diverse faith communities at Congregation Beth Israel, TMO succeeded in leveraging the support of Houston Chief of Police Art Acevedo, making Houston the first city in Texas to support the 'Do Not Stand Idly By' campaign for gun safety.

It was standing room only when AIM (link is external) leaders gathered to clarify the commitments of the County Executive Candidates to AIM's bold proposals for the future of Montgomery County. The AIM demands were developed over a year of listening sessions with 3000 people throughout the county and the focus was on specific community solutions.

The evening started with spirit as Pastor Haywood Robinson led those congregated in the song "It Will Get Better," and put forth AIM's analysis of the county. "Montgomery County is at a cross roads, with enormous changes in politics, population and economics. . . AIM has been part of governing this county for nearly 20 years and we are committed to a vision of a county where all people can thrive, regardless of race, income, age or economic status."

Durham CAN Pressures City Council to Prioritize Affordable Housing -Metro IAF

Over 100 leaders pressured Durham City Council to prioritize affordable housing on over 4 acres of city-owned land in the heart of Downtown Durham. As a result, the mayor presented a proposal that reflected Durham CAN's top priority and included all of their demands: a minimum of 80 units of affordable housing for families under 60% AMI, including a commitment for a developer to work with the Durham Housing Authority to accept residents with vouchers. CAN won strong press coverage, including a front page story in the local newspaper.

AIM, BUILD and PATH won commitments from twelve Maryland state delegates and senators and three candidates to pass and fully fund the Kirwan Commission recommendations. The Kirwan Commission, which brings together representatives from across Maryland to make recommendations for improving education in the state, is set to issue a once-in-a-generation plan for fully funding schools - a $3 billion increase across the state if it is passed and funded in the 2019 legislative session.

VOICE (link is external) and ARHA Resident Association Leaders presented the VOICE Issue Agenda in the context of the racial history of Old Town Alexandria. Following the presentation of 1,400+ voter pledge cards, VOICE received commitments from both mayoral candidates to work with VOICE on the following:

Working to enforce the affordable housing parameters set in the Housing Master Plan

Strengthening Resolution 830 to ensure preservation of public housing in the city

Ensuring a culture in public housing that encourages resident participation in the decision making of public housing

Increasing equity in public schools around suspension rates

Researching city contractors and sub-contractors to ensure that all people who work in the city can live in the city....

A resolution by Western Massachusetts Episcopal Bishop Douglas Fisher on investing in gun manufacturers and retailers as a form of shareholder advocacy was approved July 12 by the House of Bishops during the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Convention in Austin, Texas.

Fisher said in a statement that referenced student gun safety rallies at gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson's Springfield headquarters in the aftermath of the recent Florida school shootings that such investment advocacy will give the Church "a voice at the table" and as a shareholder "more difficult to refuse."

When police entered the ninth-floor public housing apartment of 83-year-old Mary Ellison last winter in the Haber Houses in Coney Island, they beheld a gothic nightmare: thick black mold covering the walls and ceiling throughout the apartment.

EMTs were summoned and Ellison was immediately removed from the Brooklyn apartment and transported to nearby Coney Island Hospital....

If a gun shop does a lousy job of keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, police officers shouldn’t buy their guns from those shops.

If a gun-maker allows its guns to be sold at those lousy shops, the police shouldn’t buy those makes of guns.

And if a gun manufacturer does a lousy job of making guns that are childproof and useless to thieves, the cops should pass on buying those guns, too

This is about following the money. One potentially effective strategy to reduce gun violence in Chicago and our nation, though underused, is to put the squeeze on gun-makers and dealers to make safer guns and better regulate their sale. And the way to put the squeeze on them is to threaten their profits....